American politician
Connie Stokes (born September 3, 1953) is an American politician from the state of Georgia . A member of the Democratic Party , she is a former DeKalb County Commissioner , and formerly served in the Georgia State Senate . Stokes ran for lieutenant governor in 2014.
Early life and career
Stokes was born into poverty and abandoned by her mother, who was an alcoholic.[ 1] Her great-grandmother raised her in Atlanta 's Fourth Ward . She went into business in real estate .[ 1]
Political career
Stokes ran for the Georgia State Senate seat representing the 43rd district in 1994, receiving the endorsement of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution .[ 2] She won, and was reelected five times. While she served in the Georgia Senate, Roy Barnes , the Governor of Georgia , appointed her to serve as one of his floor leaders .[ 3] [ 4] She also served as chairwoman of the Health and Human Services committee.[ 5]
In 2004, Republicans won control of the Georgia Senate, and stripped Stokes of her committee leadership positions. As a result, she chose to run for Georgia's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives , which was being vacated by Denise Majette , who was running for the United States Senate .[ 1] [ 6] She received an endorsement from Barnes,[ 1] but lost the Democratic nomination to Cynthia McKinney ,[ 7] and was elected a DeKalb County commissioner that fall.[ 8] She chaired the budget committee.[ 9] In 2010 , she challenged Hank Johnson for the House of Representatives, also representing Georgia's 4th congressional district,[ 7] [ 10] but Johnson won the nomination.[ 11]
In 2013, Stokes declared her candidacy in the 2014 Georgia gubernatorial election .[ 3] After Jason Carter entered the race, Stokes decided to run for lieutenant governor instead.[ 12] She lost in the general election to incumbent Casey Cagle .[ 13]
Personal
Stokes received an Associate's degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University 's J. Mack Robinson College of Business , with a major in marketing .[ 6] [ 14] She received a Masters in Public Administration , with a major in public management , from California State University, Dominguez Hills .[ 14] She lives in Lithonia, Georgia , with her husband and three sons. She works as a business management consultant .[ 3]
References
^ a b c d "4TH DISTRICT RACE: Stokes has Barnes' backing: State senator lifted herself out of poverty" . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . April 29, 2004. p. JA1. Retrieved October 9, 2013 . (subscription required)
^ "DeKalb priorities: unity and economic leadership" . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . July 8, 1994. p. A/14. Retrieved October 9, 2013 . (subscription required)
^ a b c Kleehammer, Christina. "Democrat Connie Stokes to challenge Deal for Ga. Governor – WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports" . Wtvm.com. Retrieved October 8, 2013 .
^ "Ga. Democrat files paperwork for gubernatorial bid" . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . September 19, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013 .
^ "Laptop lethargy: Lawmakers split on desk computers: 2000 Georgia Legislature" . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . February 21, 2000. p. B1. Retrieved October 9, 2013 . (subscription required)
^ a b "4th District Race Draws Connie Stokes", Atlanta Daily World , April 28, 2004
^ a b Cardinale, Matthew (April 15, 2010). "APN Chat with Connie Stokes, Congressional Candidate, 4th District" . Atlanta Progressive News. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013 .
^ "Grant money diverted in DeKalb: Funds meant for inner-city youth went to church; county may have to reimburse state" . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . October 18, 2004. p. D1. Retrieved October 9, 2013 . (subscription required)
^ "DeKalb commissioner running against Hank Johnson" . www.ajc.com. January 12, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2013 .
^ "Five challengers await Georgia congressman" . The Augusta Chronicle . Associated Press. March 3, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2013 .
^ Blake, Aaron (July 20, 2010). "The Fix – Georgia Election Results: Former Gov. Roy Barnes wins Democratic primary; Handel, Deal in runoff" . The Washington Post . Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013 .
^ Cassidy, Christina A. (November 7, 2013). "Jimmy Carter's Grandson to Run for Ga. Governor" . ABC News . Retrieved November 7, 2013 .
^ "Cagle earns 3rd term in state's No. 2 post" . www.gainesvilletimes.com . Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2022 .
^ a b "Johnson faces 6 in fight to keep 4th District seat" . www.ajc.com. June 6, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2013 .
External links